CHRIS COLEMAN defended Gareth Bale’s commitment to the Welsh national team yesterday, despite the forward’s absence from tomorrow’s friendly against the Netherlands.

Bale managed to play through a leg injury to clinch a winner in Real Madrid’s Champion’s League win over Athletico last week but opted to pull out of Wales’s squad.

“This game was maybe a bridge too far for him,” Coleman said.

“There was talk of Gareth before the (Champion’s League) game having a problem, a strain, and would he play or wouldn’t he play.

“Thankfully he played and we can be proud of him. They won the Champions League which is the big prize.

“Had he been fit, he would have been with us.”

Former Welsh boss Terry Yorath has warned that securing the 24-year-old for international friendlies will become more difficult — citing his own troubles in getting Ryan Giggs released from Manchester United for non-tournament games.

But Coleman responded: “We’ve never had a problem with Gareth or Madrid. They’ve always let him come with us.

“Baley, nine times out of 10, is with us so I don’t see us having a problem.”